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Wang Y, Tian F, Yan M, et al. Drug Des Devel Ther. 2016;10:1743–1751. At the authors request, the Editor and Publisher of Drug Design, Development and Therapy wish to retract the published article. Previous concerns had been raised to the authors regarding the alleged duplication of images in Figures 1A-b and 1A-c and a corrigendum had been published. More recently, concerns have also been raised to the authors regarding the alleged duplication of images between Figure 2A-b and 2A-e. In addition, there were also concerns raised regarding the duplication of certain features between several images from Figures 2 and 3. The journal wishes to recognize that these particular concerns were introduced during the publication process and were not introduced by the authors. However, in relation to the duplication of images between Figure 2A-b and 2A-e, the authors have acknowledged this. The authors were able to provide original data to the journal, but it was unable to support the integrity of the research and the authors requested to retract the article and the Editor agreed with this. Our decision-making was informed by our policy on publishing ethics and integrity and the COPE guidelines on retraction. The retracted article will remain online to maintain the scholarly record, but it will be digitally watermarked on each page as “Retracted”.

Anti-angiogenic therapies for cancer such as VEGF neutralizing antibody bevacizumab have limited durability. While mechanisms of resistance remain undefined, it is likely that acquired resistance to anti-angiogenic therapy will involve alterations of the tumor microenvironment. We confirmed increased tumor-associated macrophages in bevacizumab-resistant glioblastoma patient specimens and two novel glioblastoma xenograft models of bevacizumab resistance. Microarray analysis suggested downregulated macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) to be the most pertinent mediator of increased macrophages. Bevacizumab-resistant patient glioblastomas and both novel xenograft models of resistance had less MIF than bevacizumab-naive tumors, and harbored more M2/protumoral macrophages that specifically localized to the tumor edge. Xenografts expressing MIF-shRNA grew more rapidly with greater angiogenesis and had macrophages localizing to the tumor edge which were more prevalent and proliferative, and displayed M2 polarization, whereas bevacizumab-resistant xenografts transduced to upregulate MIF exhibited the opposite changes. Bone marrow-derived macrophage were polarized to an M2 phenotype in the presence of condition-media derived from bevacizumab-resistant xenograft-derived cells, while recombinant MIF drove M1 polarization. Media from macrophages exposed to bevacizumab-resistant tumor cell conditioned media increased glioma cell proliferation compared with media from macrophages exposed to bevacizumab-responsive tumor cell media, suggesting that macrophage polarization in bevacizumab-resistant xenografts is the source of their aggressive biology and results from a secreted factor. Two mechanisms of bevacizumab-induced MIF reduction were identified: (1) bevacizumab bound MIF and blocked MIF-induced M1 polarization of macrophages; and (2) VEGF increased glioma MIF production in a VEGFR2-dependent manner, suggesting that bevacizumab-induced VEGF depletion would downregulate MIF. Site-directed biopsies revealed enriched MIF and VEGF at the enhancing edge in bevacizumab-naive patients. This MIF enrichment was lost in bevacizumab-resistant glioblastomas, driving a tumor edge M1-to-M2 transition. Thus, bevacizumab resistance is driven by reduced MIF at the tumor edge causing proliferative expansion of M2 macrophages, which in turn promotes tumor growth.

Objective To investigate the effect of root canal therapy (RCT) on inflammatory cytokines level in peripheral blood, anxiety, and depression in patients with pulpitis. Methods A total of 155 patients with pulpitis admitted to the Stomatology Hospital of the Fourth Military Medical University from June 2021 to June 2022 were treated with root canal therapy. Another 155 persons who received health examinations during the same period were selected as the control group. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scores and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scores of the two groups were compared. The GAD-7, PHQ-9 and pain scores of the test group before treatment and 3 and 6 weeks after treatment were compared. Pain was assessed with a visual analog scale (VAS). Inflammatory cytokine [interleukin-8 (IL-8), interleukin-1 β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), c-reactive protein (CRP)] levels in the test group before treatment and 3 and 6 weeks after treatment were compared. Results The GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scores in the test group were higher than those in the control group before treatment (P0.05). The pain scores of the experimental group at 3 and 6 weeks after treatment were lower than those before treatment (P0.05). Conclusion The peripheral blood of patients with pulpitis has a high level of inflammatory cytokines, and the patients suffer from obvious anxiety and depression. Root canal therapy can relieve their anxiety and depression by reducing their level of inflammatory cytokines in peripheral blood.

The transient receptor potential vanilloid subfamily 1 (TRPV1) is a polymodal nociceptor that is highly expressed in sensory nerves. Activation of TRPV1 receptors excites primary afferent nociceptors by opening cation channels, allowing the influx of Na+ and Ca2+ ions into the cytoplasm. Here, a TRPV1 knockout human embryonic stem cell line was generated using the CRISPR/Cas9 genome-editing technology to further study the function of TRPV1. The cell line confirmed with normal pluripotency and karyotype.

【Background】 Excessive irrigation and fertilization during seedling stage of banana are common in China, which is not only a waste of resources and increases costs, but also compromises plant quality and undermines healthy and sustainable banana production. 【Objective】 The purpose of this paper is to investigate water consumption of banana seedlings under different soil water contents, as well as its consequence for morphological and physiological traits in attempts to propose an improved water-saving irrigation scheme for banana production in China. 【Method】 We used the best tissue seedlings of the cultivar Mimosa nana Lour. as the model plant, and conducted the experiment in pots by controlling water content in them in the range from 20% to 90% of the field capacity, with keeping water content at the field capacity as the control (CK). During the experiment, we measured morphological and physiological traits of the plant for each treatment. 【Result】 Regardless of soil water contents, daily water consumption per plant increased first before plateauing as the plants grew. Increasing soil water content increased daily water consumption per plant, and the difference in water consumption between treatments was significant (PF0.01, P

Triple-negative breast cancer is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer with poor clinical outcomes and poor prognosis. Hesperetin is an active component extracted from Citrus fruits and Traditional Chinese Medicine has a wide range of pharmacological effects. Here, we assessed the anti-migration and anti-invasive effects and explored inhibitory mechanisms of hesperetin on metastasis of human triple negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells. Cell viability experiments revealed that 200 μM hesperetin has a clear inhibitory effect on MDA-MB-231 cells. TGF-β1 treatment induces apparent tumor progression in MDA-MB-231 cells including aberrant wound-healing and invasion ability, which is effectively suppressed by hesperetin co-treatment. Additionally, hesperetin inhibited the TGF-β1-mediated actin stress fiber formation. Western blot results showed that hesperetin suppressed the TGF-β1-mediated (i) activation of Fyn, (ii) phosphorylation of paxillin at Y31, Y88, and Y118 sites, (iii) the increased expression of RhoA, and (iv) activation of Rho-kinase. We demonstrated the increased interaction of Fyn with paxillin and RhoA protein in the TGF-β1-induced metastasis of MDA-MB-231 cells. Small interfering RNA Fyn inhibited phosphorylation of paxillin (Y31) and activation of Rho-kinase induced by TGF-β1. In conclusion, hesperetin has a significant inhibitory effect on migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells induced by TGF-β1, which might be attributed to inhibiting the Fyn/paxillin/RhoA pathway.

We investigated the spectral sensitivity and response to light intensity ofEncarsia formosa(Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), which is a key natural enemy of the greenhouse whitefly,Trialeurodes vaporariorum, and the tobacco whitefly,Bemisia tabaci(Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae). To do so, we used 15 monochromatic lights (emitting various specific wavelengths from 340 to 649 nm) and white light.E. formosaadults, which are diurnal insects, showed a positive phototaxis to a broad spectrum of light, with peaks of sensitivity at 414, 340, 450, and 504 nm. These results show that this parasitoid is generally more sensitive to short wavelength lights than long wavelength lights across all spectral ranges tested. Furthermore,E. formosaadults showed an increased phototactic response at low intensities and a decreased response at high intensities, for both ultraviolet light and violet light. Thus,E. formosashowed both colour and intensity preferences. This experiment provides a scientific basis for the development of colour traps for insect pest management and improves understanding of the ecological significance of colour vision byE.formosa. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

We investigated the spectral sensitivity and response to light intensity ofPachyneuron aphidis(Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), which is a common hyperparasitoid ofAphidius gifuensis(Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a key natural enemy of the green peach aphid,Myzus persicae(Hemiptera: Aphididae). To do so, we used 15 monochromatic lights (emitting various specific wavelengths from 340 to 649 nm) and white light.P. aphidisadults are diurnal insects that show a positive phototaxis to a broad spectrum of light. Significant differences were found between sexes in the phototactic responses ofP. aphidisto different monochromatic lights. FemaleP. aphidisshowed four peaks of sensitivity at 380, 450, 504 and 589 nm. MaleP. aphidisshow two peaks of sensitivity, one at 450 nm and second at 628 nm.P. aphidisadults showed an increased phototactic response at low intensities and a decreased phototactic response at high intensities for both UV light and blue light. This experiment will help provide a scientific basis for the development of colour traps for insect pest management. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objective To analyze the morphology and incidence of middle mesial canal (MM) and isthmus in the mandibular first permanent molar by cone⁃beam computed tomography (CBCT). Methods Statistical analysis was per⁃ formed on images from patients who underwent CBCT examination in the Department of Radiology at Stomatological Hospital, Southern Medical University. Samples exhibiting root canal treatment, root resorption and calcification were ex⁃ cluded. Data regarding sex, age, the presence or absence of isthmus and MM, and the number of roots and root canals were recorded. Results Of the 217 mandibular first molar samples, 8 (3.7%) had an MM, and 2 (0.9%) had an inde⁃ pendent apical foramen. The overall incidence rate of isthmus was 57.1%; this rate was 50.7% in the cervical third of the root canal, 17.5% in the middle third, and 13.4% in the apical third. The incidence rate of isthmus was 61.8% on the left side, 52.3% on the right side, 58.7% in males, and 55.8% in females. No significant difference was found be⁃ tween the left and right sides or between females and males (P > 0.05). The incidence rate of isthmus in people under 60 was greater than 50% but was significantly lower in people older than 60. Conclusion Only a very small propor⁃ tion of MMs have an independent apical foramen in the mandibular first molar. The incidence of isthmus in the mesial root of the mandibular first permanent molar is high, and isthmus usually occurs in the cervical third of the root canal. During root canal treatment or apical surgery, attention should be given to the physical and chemical preparation of the isthmus.

The population dynamics of Myzus persicae were investigated in the field in a year without releases of Aphidius gifuensis (1998-1999), in a year with A. gifuensis releases (2000-2001) and several years later (2005-2007). The results showed that both high mean population densities and damage rates did not differ between 1998 and 1999, but were significantly lower in 2000-2001 and 2005-2007. Moreover, farmers also reported the decrease of M. persicae populations and attributed the declines to augmentative releases of A. gifuensis in their own fields, indicating farmers' recognition in the effectiveness of A. gifuensis for M. persicae control. In addition, compared with the historical data on pesticide use for M. persicae control, the number of insecticide applications and cost of M. persicae control was sustained at a low level in 2007 (several years after release of A. gifuensis). This suggests that the augmentative releases of A. gifuensis could be effective and sustainable in M. persicae control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ya-Ru Wang,1,* Fei-Long Tian,2,* Ming-Xian Yan,1 Jin-Hua Fan,1 Li-Yun Wang,1 Rong-Guang Kuang,1 Yan-Qing Li3 1Department of Gastroenterology, Shandong Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, 2Shandong University School of Medicine, 3Department of Gastroenterology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Ji’nan, Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China *These authors contributed equally to this work Background: Pathogenesis and effective therapeutics of chronic pancreatic inflammation and fibrosis remain uncertain.Purpose: To investigate the effects of sulfasalazine (SF) on pancreatic inflammation and fibrogenesis.Methods: Chronic pancreatic injury in rats was induced by diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC) and interfered by SF through intraperitoneal injection. The rats were divided into five groups: group N, normal control group, rats were treated with dilated water only; group DS1, rats received SF (10 mg/kg) 2 hours before DDC treatment; group DS2, rats were treated with DDC and then SF (100 mg/kg, twice a week); group DS3, rats were treated with DDC, then SF (100 mg/kg, thrice a week); and group DDC, rats were treated with DDC only. Pancreatic inflammation and fibrosis were determined by hematoxylin and eosin staining and Sirius red staining. The genes and proteins related to NF-κB pathway and fibrogenesis including NF-κB/p65, TNF-α, ICAM-1, α-SMA, and Con 1 were detected by immunohistochemical staining, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and Western blotting.Results: Rats in the DDC and DS1 groups showed the highest histological scores after DDC treatment, but the scores of DS2 and DS3 groups decreased significantly when compared with the DDC group. Sirius red staining showed collagen formation clearly in DDC and DS1 rats rather than in DS2 and DS3 rats. NF-κB/p65, ICAM-1, and α-SMA were strongly expressed in DDC and DS1 rats, while DS2 and DS3 rats showed mild to moderate expression by immunohistochemistry. Reverse tran­scription polymerase chain reaction showed increased levels of NF-κB/p65, ICAM-1, TNF-α, α-SMA, and Con 1 mRNA in DDC and DS1 rats in comparison to normal controls. The mRNA levels of these molecules in DS2 and DS3 rats were significantly lower than those in DS1 and DDC rats. Western blotting demonstrated that the NF-κB/p65, ICAM-1, and α-SMA expressions in pancreatic tissues of the rats of the DDC group were more clear than those of the normal control, DS2, and DS3 rats.Conclusion: SF inhibits pancreatic inflammation and fibrogenesis via NF-κB signaling pathway. Keywords: sulfasalazine, pancreatic injury, inflammation, fibrogenesis, NF-κB

Objective: To evaluate the inhibitory effect of dihydroartemisinin on neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y, explore the possible mechanism of dihydroartemisinin against neuroblastoma cells. Methods: The cell viability of dihydroartemisinin treated SH-SY5Y cells was examined by MTT assay and morphology of cells was observed by using inverted microscope. Cell cycle was examined with flowcytometry assay, then cyclin D1 and caspase-3 proteins expression was detected by ELISA and western blotting assay. Results: MTT analysis results showed that cell viability significantly decreased after exposure to 0.05, 0.50, 5.00 and 50.00 μmol/L dihydroartemisinin in a dose-dependent manner, and the lower density of cells was observed in treated groups. The number of cells in sub-G1 phase was increased after treatment with different doses of dihydroartemisinin compared with the control group. The expression of cyclin D1 protein was decreased, while the expression of caspase-3 protein was increased in treated group. Conclusions: Dihydroartemisinin could inhibit the proliferation through stopping the cell cycle and inducing the apoptosis in neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells.